Cigarettes consumption rises 4.19%

New Delhi, Mar 18 (IBNS) Domestic consumption of cigarettes rose by 4.19% in 2011-12 in comparison to the previous year, said Minister of State of Commerce & Industry D Purandeswari on Monday.

"According to available data the domestic consumption (total number of units sold) of cigarettes during the year 2010-11 was 111487 million sticks as compared to 111860 million sticks during the year 2009-10 showing a decrease in consumption by 0.33%," Purandeswari said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

"However, the domestic consumption (total number of units sold) of cigarettes during the year 2011-12 was 116166 million sticks showing an increase of 4.19% as compared to the previous year," she said.

The minister said there is no proposal to put a ban on the production and export of tobacco products including cigarettes.